Russia ‘negotiating,’ says Zelensky

KYIV (AFP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has shown readiness to negotiate toward ending the war following talks with US envoys, Axios reported Monday.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend in Washington’s latest attempt to break the diplomatic stalemate in the four-year war.

Zelensky told Axios that the envoys, who held separate talks with Ukrainian and Russian leaders, told him that “the Russians are ready to negotiate.”

“Russia really thinks that this winter can help them to break us,” Zelensky said.

Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure each winter since its full-scale invasion in February 2022, leaving millions without power and heating.

Zelensky said US President Donald Trump’s administration could pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate, adding that Putin “doesn’t want” to “upset” Trump.

The weekend talks included US proposals involving energy facilities, grain shipments, and oil and gas exports, though Zelensky declined to provide details.

The Ukrainian leader said Washington’s goal was to resume negotiations and make progress before or during winter to “bring (the) sides closer to the peace.”